Quad-block for slug-casting machines.



G. B. FIELDS.

QUAD BLOCK FOR SLUG CASTING MACHINES.

APPLICATION FI'LED AUG.4, 1915.

Patented. J uly 3, 1917.

LQMETID GORDON BYRON FIELDS, OF JACKSONVILLE, FLORIDA, ASSIGNOR TO MERGENTHALER LINOTYPE COMPANY,

A CORPORATION OF NEW/V YORK.

QUAD-BLOCK FOR SLUG-GASTING MACHINES.

nasneae.

Application filed August 4, 1915.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, GORDON BYRON FIELDS, a citizen of the United States, residing at Jacksonville, in the county of Duval and State of Florida, have invented cer tain new and useful Improvements in a Quad-Block for Slug-Casting Machines, of which the following is a specification, reference being had therein to the accompanying drawing.

My invention relates to slug casting machines, such as linotype machines of the general organization represented in United States Letters Patent to O. Mergenthaler, N 0. 436532, wherein a slug or linotype is cast in a slotted mold against an assembled matrix line, which produces the type characters thereon.

Ordinarily the matrix line is composed of a series of individual matrices which circulate through the machine, but at other times, it is made up of a single non-circulating matrix, known in the art as a quad block, and used particularly for the production of quads, rules, border slugs, and the like. As now constructed, the quad block consists of a long body portion, similar in cross section to an ordinary matrix, and having in its front face an integral strip or plate containing formative cavities corresponding to the characters which are to be produced. When it is desired to cast a dilferent form of slug, or a slug with a different arrangement of the characters, the strip is removed and replaced by another containing the proper formative cavities. By reason of the integral nature of the matrix strips, it is necessary to punch a spe cial one for each difierent slug to be produced, the number of strips thus multiplying to a very considerable extent. The expense, annoyance and delays occasioned by this practice becomes quite pronounced in connection with rule or tabular work, which require many diiferent arrangements and spacings.

My present invention is intended primarily to avoid the above objections, and to this end I provide one or more sets of short interchangeable matrix sections which can be set into the quad block to build up the matrix. These sections are made of various sizes and widths, so that by their interchange different formative cavities may be brought into use. and located in any suit- Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented July 3, 191?. Serial It 0. 43,533.

able 7 position to meet the conditions demanded. In this way, the same sections may be employed for the production of slugs of various designs and descriptions, thereby saving much time and expense which would otherwise be incurred in the preparation of special plates.

In the accompanying drawing, I have shown the formative cavities as straight depressions or cuts for the production of slugs with plain ruling, but it should be understood that my invention is not restricted in this respect, as it may readily be adapted to various other classes of work which require the use of slugs with other kinds of printing characters. Furthermore, I have shown my invention merely in preferred form and by way of example, and it should be noted that many changes and variations maybe made therein which will still be comprised within its spirit. Generally speaking, I desire it to be understood that I do not limit myself to any specific embodiment or adaptation, except in so far as such limitations are specified in the claims.

Referring to the drawing:

Figure l is a perspective view of a quad block equipped with my improved matrix sections;

Fig. 2 is a transverse section through the mold of a linotype machine and the quad block, which is shown in operative relation thereto;

Fig. 3 illustrates an assembled series of slugs produced in accordance with my invention; and

Figs. 4 and 5 trix sections.

The quad block A is of the usual construction, being formed in its front face with the longitudinal groove or recess A of dove-tail shape. Located in the groove A are a series of matrix sections B and a long strip or bar C, these parts presenting in their assembled condition a continuous matrix of substantially the same form as the integral matrix plate now in common use. The strip C engages in the lower portion of the groove A while the sections B are supported thereon side by side with their upper ends engaging in the upper portion of the groove. In this way, the sections are held securely against forward or facewise displacement from the blockA, while they are capable of being withdrawn edgewise are detail-views of the mafor interchange, in the manner indicated in Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 illustrates an assembled series of slugs D such as it is the object of my invention to produce. vided along its edge With a longitudinal rib or ruling surface I), transverse ribs or ruling surfaces D the latter being arranged on'the successive slugs of the series so as to stand in transverse alinemen't; When a print is" talen from such slugs, there will be produced a blanli'forin consisting of a series of longitudinal lines and a series of intersecting transverse lines, such as is desired for ledger pages,- base ball scores, etc.

The longitudinal rib D is produced by a horizontal cut or depression B formed by b'eveling' the upper edge of the strip C and the lower ends of the matrix Sections B; While the transverse rfibs D are produced by verticalnotches or depressions 13" formed in some of the matrix sections, the others being left plain or smooth to produce the blank spaces between the ribs.

In casting, the quad block is supported inoperative relation to a mold E, as shown in 2, and with the formative cavities or depressions l3" and 13 standing opposite the mold slot E so that the inolten'inetal mayflow intoamenities and produce the ruling surfaces D and D on the slug, as before described.

It is to be understood that there is provided a complete set of the matrix sections B varying in Width according' to a" given typographic unit, which in this country is the 'em. Accordingly, any desired spacing or arrangement of the ruling surfaces D may be secured by selecting the appropriate sections and assembling them in the proper position in the block. Thus, in Fig. l the sections are shown of various Widths and asseinbled in such relation as to produce the slug indicated in Fig. 3'. If it should be de sired to vary the location of the ruling surfaces D upon the slugs so as to secure a different spacing of the transverse lines of the blank for-ins to be produced, this may be accon'ipilishe'd by rearranging the sections in the block or by selecting and substituting other sections of di'lferent Widths. Obviously', there is no particular: limit to be set for the width of an individual matrixsection, as this will depend p'rii i'c'ip'ally upon the class of Work involved. For example it isfrequei'itly the case that the blank spaces between the columns are of uniform extent, and in such event it might be desirable to ei'n iloy a single matrix section ofcorresponding Width. However, this is not at all essential, as a number of the shorter sections could be employed With the same effect. The Whole requirement in this connection is that the Width of the matrix sections be Each of these slugs is proand a series of gaged according to the standard typographic unit, Whether a fraction or a multiple of such uiiit'. In some instances, the spacing or location of the depressions B- illnot depend entirely upon the Width of the individual sections, but rather upon the different setWise positions of the depressions in the respective sections. Thus, as shown in Fig: 5", two of the matrix sections 13 are of the same Width but have their notches or depressions located in dilferent relative positions thereon, it being. noted also that one of the depressions is of'larger' sizethan the other so as to produce a thicker or heavier rulingsur'face.

' In printii'ig soineblank forms, it may be conrej necessary or-';uesi i able a; ary the spacing bet'vveen' the longitudinal lines in addition toot" indepenc'lentry of that between the transverse lines. For this purpose, there is provided a further set'jof matrix sections similar to the sections B but of lesslength or height. Two" such see'tions',1narked' F,

are-strewn in Fig. 5, one being plain or smooth and the other-having a slot or; depres 'si'on 'F of abouth-alf theextj-ent of thejdepie-serous 13 or sections B. In making use of the sections F, it will] be understood thatthe ooperating strip C will be of increased width to correspond. inhke man: ner', other sets'of' rnatrix' sections maybe provided tose'c'ure' dilierent" spacings of the printing line's.

1For' certainliinds of work, it may be desired to east slugs Without t'he'lon'gitudinal ruling surface,butinerely With the transverserul'ing urfaces. In this event, the beveled or' chafnfere'd surfaces along'jthe ends of the matrix sections B and edge of the strip 6 may be 'li'niil'itt'd dr'in'stead' the matrix sections B may be" made of such sizeor 'rei'ght as" td'fi'll the notch A? completely. Various" other like modifications may be made, but the Will readily suggest themselves to those skilled in the art and require no? specific fXintiOIi h'e'fe.

lVhilefin' the present instance the matrix sections have been designed for the specific purpose of making-up theniatrix' strip of a uad blocl'z', it endure he noted that a'c'co'rdiflg to certain broad features of my invention, the sections be made of other form-for instance, like the ordinary matrices usedin' the l'inotype' machine. Thus, I believe it to be new in the art to provide a plurality of such matrix sections of any form bearing the same character and varying' in Width so that' vhen theseotions are assembled side by side in line, a definite and predetermined arrangement of the matrix charactersis secured. Further, I believe it to be new tcproviue a pluralityof' matrix sections which varyjin Width relatively and irrespective of the size or Width'of the characters' which they contain.

Having thus described my invention, its construction and mode of operation, What I claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States, is as follows:

1. A quad block comprising an integral elongated body portion containing in its operative face a series of individual matrix sections arranged side by side and varying in Width according to a given typographic unit irrespective of the size of the matrix characters to secure a definite spacing of said characters in the length of the block.

2. A quad block comprising an integral elongated body portion containing in its operative face a series of individual matrix sections arranged side by side and varying in Width according to a given typographic unit irrespective of the size of the matrix characters to secure a definite spacing of said characters in the length of the block, the said sections being replaceable by others of different Widths to vary the spacing of the matrix characters.

3. A quad block containing in its operative face a series of individual matrix sections arranged side by side in contact to make up a continuous matrix strip and varying in Width according to a given typographic unit to secure a definite spacing of the matrix characters in the length of the block, said sections being replaceable by others of corresponding Width but of different height, for the purpose described.

4:. A quad block comprising an integral elongated body portion containing in its operative face a matrix made up in part of a longitudinally arranged strip and in part of a series of transversely arranged sections.

5. A quad block comprising an integral elongated body portion containing in its operative face a matrix made up of a longitudinally arranged strip and a series of trans versely arranged sections, the edge of said strip and the contiguous ends of said sections being beveled or chamfered so as conjointly to provide a straight horizontal de pression for the production of a slug with a longitudinal rib or ruling surface.

6. A quad block comprising an integral elongated body portion containing in its operative face a matrix made up of a longitudinally arranged strip and a series of transversely arranged sections, the edge of said strip and the contiguous ends of the sections being beveled or chamfered so as conjointly to provide a straight longitudinal notch or depression, and one or more of the sections being formed With transverse notches or depressions leading from the longitudinal de pression; whereby there may be produced a slug With a longitudinal rib or ruling surface and one or more transverse ribs or rulin surfaces.

1. A quad block comprising an integral elongated body portion containing in its front or operative face a continuous matrix strip made up of a plurality of contacting individual sections varying in Width according to a given typographic unit irrespective of the characters they contain.

8. A quad block containing in its front or operative face a series of individual matrix sections having characters arranged in different setWise positions on their respective sections, for the purpose described.

9. A set of matrix sections constructed to make up the matrix strip of a quad block, the said sections having a common matrix character and varying in Width throughout the set irrespective of the size of said charactor, for the purpose described.

10. A plurality of sets of matrix sections constructed to make up a matrix strip of a quad block and each section being formed With a matrix character which extends practically throughout the height thereof, the sections of one set being of different height from those of another set to vary the extent of their respective matrix characters.

11. A matrix section beveled at one end and formed With a slot or depression cutting into said bevel, so as to produce on a slug connected ruling surfaces.

12. A common set of interchangeable matrix sections adapted to be assembled side by side and varying in Width according to a given typographic unit irrespective of the size or Width of the characters they contain.

13. A plurality of matrix sections containing the same character, the said character being located in different setWise positions on the respective matrix sections.

14-. A plurality of matrix sections containing the same character, the said sections varying in Width according to a given typographic unit, and having their characters located in different relative positions on the respective sections.

15. A common set of interchangeable matrix sections adapted to be assembled side by side and containing the same matrix character, the said sections varying in Width according to a given typographic unit irrespective of the size of said matrix character.

In testimony whereof, I have aflixed my signature in presence of tWo Witnesses.

GORDON BYRON FIELDS.

\Vitnesses D. J. Connor, lV. L. WA'rsoN.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents, Washington, D. C. 

